How to Disinfect Your Electronics

Hygiene is on everyone’s mind these days amidst the ongoing spread of COVID-19. While you’re hopefully washing your hands, make sure you extend those efforts to your phone, keyboard, and mouse.

Luckily, you can do a very decent job of cleaning your electronics using the materials you’ve already got at home.

Sanitize your smartphone.

Smartphones are a hotbed for germs. So, it’s a good idea to do a quick wipe-down every day. Here’s what we recommend:

1. Before cleaning your device, turn off the power.
2. Remove your phone case or any other accessories.
3. Wipe the screen with a dry microfiber cloth (or something soft, like a clean t-shirt).
4. Next, dampen the cloth using warm water and mild soap and wipe down your device.
5. Keep any liquid away from any ports and buttons.
6. Dry your phone with a clean, dry cloth.
7. Make sure to also clean your phone case (or any other accessories) using the same method.

While you can use a Clorox disinfecting wipe on your smartphone, do it sparingly. An abrasive cleaner, like a Clorox wipe, can eat away at the oleophobic coating that keeps fingerprints from smudging your display.

Cleaning office keyboards and laptops.

When it comes to cleaning your other gadgets, similar rules apply. But here, you should use a disinfectant wipe instead of soap & water. That’s because most keyboards aren’t water-resistant the same way phones are.

1. Begin by turning off the laptop. Or unplug the keyboard.
2. Start by shaking off any loose debris in the keyboard (or speakers).
3. Use a disinfectant wipe to clean the surface of the keyboard.
4. Make sure the wipe isn’t too damp.
5. To clean between the keys there are two methods:
   1. You can blow compress air in between the keys.
   2. Or, use clear tape to pull out any debris.
6. If you’re cleaning a laptop, don’t forget to wipe down the screen with a microfiber cloth. Don’t use the disinfectant wipe on the screen – it’ll cause smudges. Instead, use a window cleaner.
7. Dry the device with a clean, soft cloth.
8. Make sure to clean your keyboard and laptop at least once a week.

Don’t forget your mouse!

Lastly, don’t forget to clean your mouse.

1. If your mouse is wireless, turn it off. If it has a cord, unplug it.
2. To remove dirt from the scroll wheel, turn the mouse upside down and gently pat it.
3. Use a disinfectant wipe to clean the top of the mouse.
4. Make sure the wipe isn’t too damp.
5. Dry the device.
6. Make sure the clean your mouse once a week.